Portugal nightmare to start again for Canterbury man

A photographer from Canterbury faces an uncertain future after facing extradition for a crime in Portugal he has already stood trial for.

Graham Mitchell, 49, was cleared of the attempted murder of a German tourist during a holiday in the Algarve 17 years ago.

But for reasons yet to be confirmed, he now faces being hauled back before the courts after the Portuguese authorities issued a European Arrest Warrant.

The former Scots guardsman, who is married and the father-of-two, told the BBC he hoped it was an “administrative blunder” but admitted the new development had turned his world “upside down”.

In 1994, after a holiday in Alburfeira, Mr Mitchell was arrested by police along with his friend Warren Tozer.

They were quizzed over a serious assault on 26-year-old German Andre Jorling – and later stood trial.

Mr Jorling had been left paralysed after falling off a wall.

They were cleared and allowed to return to the UK.

But now they have been told the nightmare could be about to start again.

A spokesman for Fair Trials International said they were trying to establish why the Portuguese authorities were looking at the case again. It is possible new evidence has come to light which may prompt a re-trial.

Mr Mitchell is currently out on bail. He has another hearing next week.